Abstract: A process for reducing the loading of wastewaters produced in the preparation of hydroxyl and carbonyl compounds from hydroperoxides by the Hock process, which may be acidic, by treating the wastewaters with an oxygen-containing gas at a pressure greater than 25 bar absolute and at a temperature of 150-250° C. Surprisingly, improved degradation rates are achieved under these conditions.

Abstract: An integrated process for treating alkaline wash water effluent from nitroaromatic manufacture, principally containing nitro-hydroxy-aromatic compounds is described. The integrated process concentrates the alkaline wash water to recover chemicals and water prior to treating the concentrate through supercritical water oxidation. The supercritical water oxidation step consists of treating the concentrate in the presence of an oxygen source at conditions, which are supercritical for water to cause a substantial portion of the organic component of the concentrate to oxidize. The product effluent includes a gaseous component and a clean water component, and in the event that insoluble ash is formed, an ash component. The new integrated process results in reduced chemical and water consumption compared to existing processes. In addition, the treated wash water effluent can be recycled to process or directly discharged.

Abstract: A method for treatment of halogen-containing waste material, in particular PVC-containing waste material, is disclosed. The waste material is heated in a decomposition step in a reaction zone in a substantially closed system essentially without addition of water to a temperature between 150 and 750° C., preferably 250-350° C., in the presence of a halogen-reactive compound selected from alkali and alkaline earth metal hydroxides, alkali and alkaline earth metal carbonates and mixtures thereof, so as to establish a controllable autogenous pressure substantially above atmospheric pressure, in a sufficient reaction time to convert essentially all halogen present in the waste material to alkali or alkaline earth metal halides. The closed system preferably also has a condensation zone, where water vapor and volatile compounds liberated from the waste material are condensed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for oxidation of aqueous mixtures of organic material, including toxic material in the presence of inorganic materials, by reaction of said material with water and oxygen at supercritical conditions. Oxygen and the aqueous mixture are separately pressurized to greater than about 218 atmospheres, combined to form a reaction mixture and then directed through a tubular reactor having a substantially constant internal diameter. The velocity of the reaction mixture is sufficient to prevent settling of a substantial portion of solids initially present in the reaction mixture and of solids which form during passage through the reactor. The mixture is heated to temperature above about 374° C. in the tubular reactor. A substantial portion of the organic material in the reaction mixture is oxidized in the tubular reactor to thereby form an effluent mixture.

Abstract: A method of decomposing wastes containing target compounds having one or more of hydrolyzable bonds of ether bond, ester bond, amide bond and isocyanate bond wherein the method comprises continuously supplying the wastes in a molten state or liquid state to a reactor, continuously supplying super-critical water or high pressure/high temperature water to the reactor, bringing the water into contact with the wastes, thereby decomposing the target compounds and then recovering them as raw material compounds or derivatives thereof for the target compounds. Target compounds contained in wastes in chemical plants which could not be utilized but merely incinerated or discarded so far are continuously decomposed into raw material compounds or derivatives thereof for the aimed compound and can be reutilized effectively.

Abstract: A system (10) and method for hydrothermal treatment of a feed material (11) includes a reaction chamber (14) in a reactor (12). Importantly, an additive (16) is added with the feed material (11) to the reaction chamber (14). The additive (16) causes a reaction medium (18) in the reaction chamber (14) to include phosphate compounds. The phosphate compounds allow precipitating salts to be transported through the reactor (12) without plugging and inhibiting the build-up of precipitating salts in the reaction chamber (14).

Abstract: A process for treating sewage containing biological solids including the steps of mixing the sewage with oxygen-containing hydro fluoro ether polymers, retaining the sewage with the hydro fluoro ether polymers for a desired period of time so as to produce oxygenated sewage and carbon dioxide-containing hydro fluoro ether polymers, and separating the carbon dioxide-containing hydro fluoro ether polymers from the oxygenated sewage. Water is separated from the oxygenated sewage so as to produce a sludge. Oxygen is mixed with the carbon dioxide-containing hydro fluoro ether polymers so as to oxygenate the hydro fluoro ether polymers and to remove carbon dioxide therefrom. The sewage is retained with the hydro fluoro etherpolymers at a temperature of between 32° and 140° F. The sewage is dewatered prior to mixing so that the dewatered sewage has a water content of less than 93 percent by weight. The steps of mixing and retaining can be carried in a closed vessel.

Abstract: A process for pre-treating a spent caustic stream prior to oxidation which includes countercurrent multi-stage elevated temperature solvent extraction of dissolved organic material from the spent caustic using a solvent to yield a spent caustic raffinate containing only residual amounts of organic solute and steam distilling the spent caustic raffinate to remove the residual organic solutes, yielding a pretreated spent caustic stream substantially free of organic material which is then subjected to wet air oxidation and thereafter to ozonolysis to yield a wastewater stream having a low COD and BOD, which is neutralized to a pH of 8.5 to 9.0.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing an oxidized liquid effluent containing minimal dissolved gases therein, from a subcritical wet oxidation treatment system. The oxidation mixture exiting from the treatment system is separated into a first oxidized liquid effluent and a first gaseous phase as the mixture a first separator vessel operated at a relatively low superatmospheric pressure. Sufficient pressure is maintained in the first gaseous phase to provide the motive force for transport to further treatment or discharge. The first oxidized liquid effluent flows to a second separator vessel operated at essentially atmospheric pressure, where remaining dissolved gases separate from the first oxidized liquid effluent. The second gaseous phase is discharged and the second oxidized liquid effluent is suitable for storage or further treatment. Provision for adjusting the pH of the oxidized liquid effluent during the separation process is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reactor for the treatment of wastewater solutions containing cyanide and other dissolved organic material, having an elongated tube having an entrance (28) and an exit (32), and an energy source (22) for the tube, preferably positioned adjacent the exit. The energy source generates intense energy such that a cyanide/organic material-containing solution can be treated by passing it through the tube to expose it to said energy so that the solution absorbs sufficient energy from the energy source to degrade the cyanide and/or dissolved organic material contained therein. The source of intense energy is preferably a plasma, e.g. a plasma generated by a plasma torch or a DC electric arc. The invention also relates to a process of treatment of such a wastewater solution by passing it through such a reactor.

Abstract: In wet oxidizing process of an aqueous alkali waste which contains absorbed hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide, a convenient method for improving the safety in oxidizing operation and the efficiency in oxidation reaction.

Abstract: A method for avoiding the precipitation of salts from a salt containing water stream prior to the stream reaching a supercritical water reactor is presented. The salt containing water stream is preferably kept at temperatures below supercritical conditions as the stream is transferred to the reactor. After the salt stream reaches the reactor the temperature of the salt stream is preferably raised to the appropriate temperature by mixing the salt stream, within the reactor, with a second stream that has been heated above the supercritical temperature of water. Alternatively, a method for preventing the clogging of the conduits upstream from the reactor may involve the mixing of two subcritical waste streams. One stream may include salts, the other preferably includes oxidizable material.

Abstract: A method for dissociating metal-ligand complexes in a supercritical fluid by treating the metal-ligand complex with heat and/or reducing or oxidizing agents is described. Once the metal-ligand complex is dissociated, the resulting metal and/or metal oxide form fine particles of substantially uniform size. In preferred embodiments, the solvent is supercritical carbon dioxide and the ligand is a .beta.-diketone such as hexafluoroacetylacetone or dibutyldiacetate. In other preferred embodiments, the metals in the metal-ligand complex are copper, silver, gold, tungsten, titanium, tantalum, tin, or mixtures thereof. In preferred embodiments, the reducing agent is hydrogen. The method provides an efficient process for dissociating metal-ligand complexes and produces easily-collected metal particles free from hydrocarbon solvent impurities. The ligand and the supercritical fluid can be regenerated to provide an economic, efficient process.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an oxidized liquid effluent stream substantially free of volatile compounds is provided. The system includes a stripper positioned downstream of a separator, or disposed within a separator. The method involves volatilizing volatile compounds by performing a separation followed by stripping, or in the same chamber as the separation. In another aspect, the invention involves adjusting the pH of the oxidized waste stream prior to stripping in order to convert ionic species to volatile species that can be removed by stripping.

Abstract: A method for oxidizing organic material in an aqueous stream containing one or more inorganic salts, inorganic salt precursors or mixtures thereof comprises oxidizing the organic material in a reactor at a temperature at least equal to the critical temperature of the aqueous stream so as to form a single homogeneous fluid phase and at a pressure sufficiently high to solubilize the inorganic salts in the single homogeneous phase.

Abstract: A waste processing method decomposing an organic substance or an inorganic substance contained in organic wastes or inorganic wastes by holding a mixture of the organic wastes or the inorganic wastes and a medium, which is in its supercritical state, for a pre-determined time period, in which the hydrogen ion concentration of the medium is 10.sup.-4 mol or more to 1 kg of the medium.A waste processing method having a step of decomposing all or almost all of an organic substance included in organic wastes into lower-molecular-weight products by holding the organic wastes in a medium, which is in its supercritical state, for a pre-determined time and a step of oxidizing and decomposing the lower-molecular-weight products into carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) and/or water (H.sub.2 O) by holding a mixture of an oxidant and the lower-molecular-weight products in the medium, which is in its subcritical state, for a pre-determined time period.

Abstract: The method of separating impurities from an aqueous solution by means of rotating the aqueous solution at high speeds until a high pressure and a high temperature is reached. At that time the impurities are separated from the solution. The aqueous solution is kept at high temperatures and pressures until the impurities are separated from the liquid. Preferably, a device providing a centrifugal force, such as a centrifuge, is used to achieve the high temperatures and pressures which should preferably be no lower than 705.4.degree. F. and 3,208 psi, respectively.

Abstract: A new process for simultaneous extraction of dispersed and dissolved hydrocarbon contaminants from water. The process is based on the principle of injecting natural hydrocarbon gas to the water feed stream under pressure and temperature conditions which permit the gas to act as a solvent for dissolved and dispersed hydrocarbon contaminants. The dispersed particles "swell" and have a reduced density which markedly improves the efficiency of the downstream separation by liquid--liquid-hydrocyclones.

Abstract: A supercritical water oxidation reactor is alternately supplied with a feed stream and a flushing stream. The feed stream contains organic and inorganic materials. The organic materials are oxidized under supercritical conditions in the reactor and the inorganic materials precipitate out of solution under the same conditions. The flushing stream is a solution in which the inorganic material is soluble. More than one supercritical water oxidation reactor may be connected so that the feed stream is alternately supplied to each reactor. During the period when the feed stream is being supplied to a reactor the effluent from the reactor is cooled to a temperature at which inorganic precipitates are soluble and is then supplied as a flushing stream to one or more of the remaining connected supercritical water oxidation reactors.

Abstract: A system and method for treatment of a feed material includes a reactor chamber in a reactor vessel. The reactor vessel has a longitudinal axis which is vertically oriented so that gravitational forces act generally in a direction along the axis between a top and a bottom of the vessel. A feed material is introduced by a nozzle into the reactor chamber as a jet stream through the top end of the vessel. This jet stream causes back-mixing in the reactor chamber, contributing to rapid initiation of reaction and general down flow of material through the reactor chamber. The material in the reactor chamber can be quenched to dissolve sticky solids in the effluent before the effluent is discharged from the lower end of the vessel. Further, the reactor vessel can include a plug flow section to carry out additional reaction of the feed material.

Abstract: A hydrothermal process (10) is integrated into a wastewater treatment facility (12) to fully oxidize an undigested wastewater sludge produced by the treatment facility. A thickened and conditioned feed mixture comprising sludge from the treatment facility is first pressurized to a critical pressure and then heated to a reaction initiating temperature below the critical temperature. An oxidant is injected into the feed mixture at the reaction initiating temperature to initiate an oxidation reaction in low light-off temperature constituents of the feed mixture to produce a partially reacted mixture and raise the temperature of the partially reacted mixture to at least the critical temperature for water in a supercritical water oxidation reactor (52). Heat from the supercritical water oxidation reaction is used to heat the feed mixture and also, to condition the sludge from the wastewater treatment plant preferably by thickening and heating the sludge.

Abstract: Wet oxidation is enhanced in the presence of carbonaceous material by oxidizing adsorbed organic materials, such as hydrazine and various solvents which may contain, or have dissolved or mixed compounds containing, chlorine molecules, on the carbon surface by radiofrequency energy in the microwave range at near ambient conditions of temperature and pressure. The discharged water is substantially environmentally clean.

Abstract: A method of removing hydrocarbons from soils contaminated with various hydrocarbons such as gasoline, diesel fuel, solvents, motor oil and crude oil. The process first screens the soil to remove oversized rocks and debris and to reduce the contaminated soil to uniformly sized particles. The soil particles are moved along a conveyor and first sprayed with an oxidizer diluted with ionized water and then sprayed with only ionized water. The washed particles are then vigorously mixed with their entrained oxidizer and ionized water in an auger mixer for several minutes to oxidize almost all of the remaining hydrocarbons. The washed and hydrocarbon-free soil is then moved by conveyor to a stockpile for storage, testing and drying.

Abstract: Systems and methods for heating, reacting, and/or treating a stream containing oxidizable matter. Recycle reactor is used alone or in conjunction with plug-flow reactor. Density differences in the recycle reactor facilitate flow within the recycle reactor without substantial external heat exchange.

Abstract: A process for hot or supercritical water oxidative decomposition of wastes, particularly halogenated organic compounds, is described. The process employs a heterogeneous reagent which accelerates the decomposition and is effective to neutralize acidic byproducts. The reagent is maintained in suspension throughout the reaction by operating at conditions of temperature and pressure at which the heterogeneous reagent is largely or fully insoluble in water, and preferably at which liquid water is not present. Production of potentially corrosive brine is also minimized by operating at conditions under which sodium chloride is insoluble.

Abstract: A hydrothermal reaction is performed on an aqueous medium without adding an oxidizing agent, and then another hydrothermal reaction is performed in the presence of an oxidizing agent, thereby reducing a chemical oxygen demand of the aqueous medium. An apparatus for performing a hydrothermal reaction has a fluid inlet being capable of introducing an oxidizing agent in a fluid form during a hydrothermal reaction.

Abstract: A waste containing organic solids is fed into a boiler after it has been subjected to a hydrothermal reaction treatment in the presence of water. A slurry containing the waste is held under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions to cause a hydrothermal reaction such that an acidic slurry is formed during part of or throughout the process of the hydrothermal reaction. Thereby the content of oxygen in the waste relative to carbon atoms in building molecules of the waste is reduced. This concurrently causes removal of halogens in said building molecule and transferring the halogens into the slurry. The slurry then is cooled and dewatered and fed into a combustion section of the boiler. The waste slurry to be subjected to the hydrothermal reaction can be sorted into two portions for separate storage. One portion is a waste slurry the pH of which will increase as a result of the hydrothermal reaction. The other portion is a waste slurry the pH of which will decrease during the hydrothermal reaction.

Abstract: Reactor for containing high pressure, high temperature, corrosive reactions, especially supercritical water reactions. The reactor comprises an inner reactor vessel which houses the corrosive reaction, an outer containment vessel which contains a substantial level of the pressure, and insulating means to contain the high temperature of the inner reactor, which prevents the outer containment vessel from rising above a specified maximum temperature. Using this reactor, the lifetime and reliability of the materials of construction are increased because the outer pressure-containing vessel does not experience the high temperatures which tend to cause metals and alloys to lose ductility, and the inner reactor vessel does not experience a high pressure drop across its walls and, therefore, can be made of temperature and corrosive-resistant materials which are not required to sustain high stress without failure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for oxidizing an aqueous medium, which contains organic and/or oxidizable inorganic substances, at an increased temperature and an increased pressure for reducing the chemical oxygen demand of the aqueous medium to a predetermined desired level. The aqueous medium is introduced into a tubular reactor with an oxygen-containing medium. The tubular reactor contains a mechanism for dispersing bubbles of gaseous oxygen. The reactor contains sections through which the mixture of aqueous medium and oxygen containing medium serially flows. A degree of back-mixing in any one of the sections is equal to or less than the degree of back-mixing of an upstream section and the farthest downstream section has a smaller degree of back-mixing than the farthest upstream section.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for treating a sulfide-containing alkaline aqueous effluent, which includes subjecting it to a wet air oxidation treatment which oxidizes sulfide ions to environmentally acceptable sulfur acid ions, the oxidation being carried out in two or more chambers connected in series, flow of effluent between the chambers being effected at least primarily by gravity such that the pressures in the respective chambers can be maintained at substantially the same value.

Abstract: The patent claims concern a method for a more efficient "wet ?combustion! oxidation" of COD-containing effluents from industrial processes and municipal plants and for a more efficient COD-reduction by enzymes in aerobic and anaerobic biological cleaning processes and for same sorts of effluents. The method implies a strong increase of the reaction speed between added oxygen and the elements in the liquid to be oxidized through so-called "Turbo Oxidation", which implies that the liquid is submitted to strong movements nd turbulence during several circulations within one or more liquid circuits during continuous addition of oxygen. By the same method, COD reduction by enzymes can also be made more effective. The single circuit is placed in connection to and communicates liquid-wise with a pressurized reaction tank, from where the developed reaction gases are continuously let out.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treatment of sludge is provided. The process includes providing sludge in a substantially liquid form and an alkaline additive to a preferably substantially closed reactor vessel, mixing the sludge and additive to ensure said pH is greater than about 12, maintaining the pH for a predetermined period of time, optionally applying supplemental heat to the sludge mixture in the reactor vessel to a predetermined elevated temperature for a predetermined period of time, maintaining the sludge mixture in a substantially fluid liquid condition, and discharging the sludge and additive mixture from the reactor vessel in a substantially liquid form such that it lends itself to be handled by gravity flow. The apparatus provides means to accomplish the above process.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the decomposition of material selected from the group consisting of organic compounds, inorganic compounds, or combinations thereof to compounds which are environmentally acceptable, or are amenable to further degradation by conventional disposal systems to produce environmentally acceptable products, which process comprises: (a) conveying an aqueous solution or an aqueous slurry of material into a reaction zone capable of withstanding the temperatures and pressures of decomposition of the material; (b) contacting the material in the reaction zone with aqueous sodium carbonate as a reactant in an amount effective to decompose the material under hot water or supercritical water oxidation conditions of between about 300.degree. and 600.degree. C. and a pressure of between about 20 and 400 atmospheres for between 0.

Abstract: An aqueous phase oxidization process for the oxidization of any nonoxidized feed material using a mixture of a feed material, an oxidizing acid, such as nitric acid; oxygen gas, water and preferably a stabilizing acid, such as sulfuric acid. The mixture is pressurized in a reactor and maintained at a temperature no greater than about 210.degree. C. Sufficient oxygen gas is added to increase the pressure beyond the pressure resulting from any gases formed during the oxidation process and to ensure that a substantial portion of reduction products of nitric acid formed during oxidation of the feed are substantially reoxidized to nitric acid.

Abstract: Fuel, oxidant and reactant for a supercritical water oxidation reactor are fed through an injector in which the flow are arranged such that the oxidant feed surrounds the fuel feed and the shields the fuel feed from the reactant feed. Excessive reactant temperature is thus avoided, and the reaction can proceed in a highly efficient manner.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for pretreating microbial sludges in order to enhance secondary anaerobic digestion. The pretreatment process involves disrupting the cellular integrity of municipal sewage sludge through a combination of thermal, explosive decompression and shear forces. The sludge is pressurized and pumped to a pretreatment reactor where it is mixed with steam to heat and soften the sludge. The pressure of the sludge is suddenly reduced and explosive decompression forces are imparted which partially disrupt the cellular integrity of the sludge. Shear forces are then applied to the sludge to further disrupt the cellular integrity of the sludge. Disrupting cellular integrity releases both soluble and insoluble organic constituents and thereby renders municipal sewage sludge more amenable to secondary anaerobic digestion.

Abstract: Sodium and borate ions are separated in supercritical water by addition of dissolved CO.sub.2 to cause precipitation of carbonates and the formation of boric acid. Carbonates and boric acid are then recovered as separate products.

Abstract: A wet oxidizing process for waste soda to attain stable cooling and complete gas-liquid separation of waste soda which is discharged from a wet oxidation reactor for alkali waste liquid, and which process comprises the steps of (1) and (2) and optionally any one of steps (3) to (5), wherein (1) a wet oxidation step in which the alkali waste liquid is brought into contact with excess molecular oxygen, said alkali waste liquid being obtained by bringing an aqueous alkali into contact with a hydrocarbon fluid containing acidic substances of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide, (2) a reducing step to reduce the pressure of a mixture of the oxidized alkali waste liquid from said wet oxidation step and a surplus gas, (3) a separation step to separate said mixture into a gas phase and a liquid phase in a gas-liquid separation tank, (4) a cooling step to cool the separated liquid phase and (5) another cooling step to cool the separated gas phase.

Abstract: A method of decomposing dioxin compounds, such as polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorodibenzofurans, contained in a waste material into unharmful substances, wherein the waste material is treated with a supercritical water at a temperature higher than the critical temperature of water and a pressure higher than the critical pressure of water.

Abstract: A process is proposed for the chemical oxidative treatment of a medium, e.g. sewage sludge, containing organic constituents, which comprises two process steps. In the first process step, the medium is heated to a first preset low temperature range and kept in this temperature range for a preset treatment duration. In a second process step, the sludge is then heated to a second preset low temperature range, pressurized in a preset low pressure range and kept in this temperature and pressure range for a preset treatment duration. In the course of this, an oxygen-containing gas, e.g. air or oxygen-enriched air or technical grade oxygen is introduced into the medium at least intermittently. The low temperatures and pressures provided in the two process steps are below or at most in the lower third of the temperature and pressure ranges of 150.degree.-370.degree. C. and 10-220 bar conventional in the wet-oxidation processes.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for inhibiting plugging in a reactor that operates at a temperature and a pressure that are at least in the vicinity of supercritical condition for water. One or more salts are preferably added, in a controlled manner, to a stream containing a first salt, in order to allow a eutectic, molten blend with the first salt to be formed. The blend may have a melting point below the temperature of the reactor. The stream is introduced into the reactor and preferably at least a portion of the blend is in a molten state. Plugging in the reactor may thus be inhibited or prevented.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the decomposition of material selected from halogenated organic compounds, to compounds which are environmentally acceptable, or are amenable to further degradation by conventional disposal systems to produce environmentally acceptable products, which process comprises: (a) conveying an aqueous solution or an aqueous slurry of material into a reaction zone capable of withstanding the temperatures and pressures of decomposition of the material; (b)contacting the material in the reaction zone with aqueous sodium carbonate as a reactant in an amount effective to decompose the material under hydrothermal oxidation conditions of between about 300.degree. and 400.degree. C. and a pressure of between about 20 and 400 atmospheres for between 0.

Abstract: A method for treating waste water streams by introducing a mixture of pre-heated waste water and an amount of oxidant lower than that required to oxidize all the organic matter in the waste stream into the front port of an elongate tubular reaction chamber. The amount of oxidant is preferably high enough, however, to raise the temperature of the stream in the reaction chamber to 750.degree.-1,200.degree. F. A first injection side port is preferably located downstream from the front port of the reaction chamber at a distance at which the temperature has reached a maximum value, and 90-100% of the available oxidant has been consumed. Oxidant and water may be simultaneously injected through the first port, in a manner that the amount of oxidant is adequate to oxidize a specified amount of organic matter, and the amount of water is effective to counterbalance the heat produced by the reaction of the co-injected oxidant with the respective organic matter.

Abstract: A waste water cleanup process where an aqueous solution of organoboron compounds is hydrolyzed to boric acid and the corresponding organic compound by treatment at a temperature of greater than 150.degree. C. at a pressure sufficient to prevent substantial evaporation and at a pH of 5 or greater, but 9 or less.

Abstract: A process for recovering inorganic material from an effluent suspension produced in the treatment of waste paper. The effluent suspension, in the form of an aqueous suspension containing at least 2% by weight of dry solids, is contacted with an oxygen-containing gas at an elevated temperature, and at an elevated pressure sufficient to keep the water component of the sludge in the liquid phase, for a time sufficient to effect substantially complete oxidation of the organic material in the suspension. The resulting product is dewatered and then resuspended in water, whereafter there is separated from the suspension water containing fine carbon particles in suspension to leave the desired inorganic material.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treatment of sludge is provided. The process includes providing sludge in a substantially liquid form and an alkaline additive to a preferably substantially closed reactor vessel, mixing the sludge and additive to ensure said pH is greater than about 12, maintaining the pH for a predetermined period of time, optionally applying supplemental heat to the sludge mixture in the reactor vessel to a predetermined elevated temperature for a predetermined period of time, maintaining the sludge mixture in a substantially fluid liquid condition, and discharging the sludge and additive mixture from the reactor vessel in a substantially liquid form such that it lends itself to be handled by gravity flow. The apparatus provides means to accomplish the above process.

Abstract: A wet oxidation apparatus includes a device for raising the pressure of liquid oxygen; an evaporator for evaporating the liquid oxygen; a device for supplying nitrogen including a compressor for compressing atmospheric air and for supplying the compressed air to a first mixer, a storage container for storing liquid nitrogen; a device for raising the pressure of liquid nitrogen; a second evaporator for evaporating the liquid nitrogen; the first mixer located for mixing the evaporated oxygen and nitrogen; a second mixer for mixing the resultant gas with waste water to be treated, and a reactor for receiving the mix of gas and water.

Abstract: A method of continuous flow hydrothermal oxidation which provides for a low cost means of reaction initiation and propagation. The aqueous-organic feedstock and oxidant are introduced to a small reaction chamber and allowed to mix with the hot, partially reacted contents thereof. This backmixing serves to initiate the reaction of the incoming feedstock. Optionally, the contents of the chamber then pass to a second reactor located downstream, in order to allow for completion of the oxidation reaction.

Abstract: A supercritical water oxidation reactor is described having first and second reaction zones connected in series and through which an aqueous feed stream to be oxidized can be passed in either direction. A self-contained heat exchange fluid system allows supercritical and subcritical temperatures to be maintained in either reaction zone. When supercritical water oxidation is occuring in one reaction zone the effluent is being cooled to a subcritical temperature and used to flush the second reaction zone to remove inorganic scale.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for wet oxidation treatment of high strength liquor or wastewater to destroy a substantial portion of the pollutants and produce an effluent stream containing a high solids content for recovery or disposal. The liquor is treated by wet oxidation and separate vapor and liquid streams are removed from the wet oxidation reactor. The vapor stream is cooled and separated to give a liquid condensate phase and a gaseous phase. The liquid stream from the reactor is cooled and divided, with a portion of the liquid effluent sent to recovery or disposal, and a portion combined with the condensate phase. This low pollutant content stream is used to dilute the raw feed liquor and maintain a high solids concentration in the liquid effluent stream.